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Pharmacy Tips

Does Rogaine Work?
If you’re just beginning to notice a bit of hair thinning, you may be the best type of candidate for Rogaine, the topical medication that can prevent hair loss. According to the National Institutes of Health, Rogaine works best in younger men who have a short history of hair loss. The drug stimulates hair growth, but the exact way this works is not known. Typically, if Rogaine is going to work, hair growth will occur after about two weeks. Growth stops as soon as the medication is stopped.

Rogaine is available without a prescription in the US, but if you’re taking other medications or have any health conditions, be sure to ask your doctor whether Rogaine is safe for you.

Sunglasses for Protection
When you’re picking out sunglasses, style is probably important to you. But be sure that the pair you’re picking out offers protection from the sun’s rays too. There should be labeling that indicates protection from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Without this labeling, the sunglasses probably aren’t providing you any protection at all.

Source: Men’s Health Network

Prescriptions for Headaches
If headache pain is affecting your quality of life, be sure to see your doctor. There’s a good chance your doctor will be able to prescribe a medication that gives you greater relief than over-the-counter drugs.

For chronic tension headaches, the best prescription medication may be what’s called a tricyclic anti-depressant. Antidepressants have some pain-relieving action, so even people who aren’t depressed may experience headache relief from these drugs. Propranolol is also sometimes prescribed.

For cluster headaches, which often arise in groups, last for weeks or months and then disappear as suddenly as they came, Sansert is the most common drug that doctors prescribe. Corticosteroids may be prescribed along with Sansert.

Sinus headaches, which are usually caused by a sinus infection, typically will need to be treated with an antibiotic.

Source: National Headache Foundation

Over-the-Counter Headache Meds
Confused about what type of medication to buy for your headache pain?

For tension headaches, which occur randomly and are caused by temporary stress, anxiety, anger or fatigue, the best choices are aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. Tension headaches cause pain in the temples, forehead or the back of the head or neck.

People with cluster headaches (which often arise in groups, last for weeks or months and then disappear as suddenly as they came) should see a doctor for the best pain relief.

You should also know that if you think you have a sinus headache, you’re likely to have a fever and some sinus blockage as well. Over-the-counter analgesics can help with the symptoms, but you’re likely to need a prescription antibiotic if you have a true sinus infection.